Our Work
Alberta’s natural landscapes are more than just beautiful — they are essential. They shape who we are, provide for us and hold the stories of generations past. Rolling grasslands, rich forests and vital water systems support not only wildlife but also the people and communities who live and work on this land.
These lands sustain Alberta’s way of life. For generations, Indigenous Nations and communities, ranchers, private landowners, and governments have cared for these places. Their stewardship has shaped and safeguarded these incredible places. Since 1970, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has worked alongside these stewards, helping conserve over 465,000 hectares of Alberta’s most ecologically significant landscapes.
Today, Alberta faces serious conservation challenges. As pressures grow and habitats disappear, the need to act has never been more urgent. But there is still time — and there is still hope. Because here in Alberta, when we come together, we make a difference.
Conservation in Alberta isn’t about locking land away. It’s about keeping landscapes healthy and productive, ensuring families can continue to steward and work the land, wildlife can still roam freely, and that future generations can know and love these places as we do today.
This work is only possible because of people like you. Join us and conservation partners in conserving Alberta’s most important natural places — for wildlife, for people and for future generations. Donate today.
Where we are making a difference
Habitat loss is the biggest threat to Canada's native plants and animals. Preventing this loss is the main focus of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). We work across the province in the places where our conservation activities can have the biggest effect on protecting Alberta's native species and habitats.
Priority areas
(Click to expand map)
- Cooking Lake Moraine
- Upper North Saskatchewan River Basin
- Red Deer River
- Bow
- Southern Foothills
- Castle Crowsnest Watershed
- Waterton
- Milk River Ridge
- Milk River Basin
- Pakowki Lake
- Cypress Uplands
Conservation regions
Capital
Critical habitat to the east and west of Edmonton supports a large variety of rare species and globally significant numbers of migratory birds. The mix of boreal forest (dominated by trembling aspen and balsam poplar) and wetland breeding grounds for North America's waterfowl makes our work around Edmonton vital.
Learn more about the Capital Conservation Region
Red Deer River
This area contains the highest density of remaining native parkland in the central Alberta region. This parkland supports populations of native plants and animals. Its highly productive wetlands, clean rivers and streams and other natural habitats are important for globally significant concentrations of migratory birds and a variety of North American waterfowl.
Learn more about the Red Deer River Conservation Region
Rocky Mountain Front
From the tops of the alpine peaks down to the foothills that roll into populated valleys, the Rocky Mountains support some of the most varied ecologies on the planet, including plant, animal and human communities. NCC has a long history in the Canadian Rockies. We are the largest and most successful land trust organization working in this region. NCC has directly conserved more than 110,500 hectares (273,000 acres) in Alberta and British Columbia. We have facilitated the conservation of another 211,650 hectares (523,000 acres) by working with partner organizations and various levels of government.
Learn more about the Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Region
Prairie Grasslands
Grasslands are fragile but ecologically important. Birds such as burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk and peregrine falcon are iconic grasslands creatures that are under increasing threat from habitat loss. More than 75 per cent of Alberta's original mixed grassland has been converted to tame forage and annual cropping. Only 17 per cent of the original fescue grassland remains.
